This collection features five peer-reviewed reviews on rust diseases of cereals. The first chapter provides an overview of the wheat rust pathogen lifecycle that has been critical to the design of effective disease management strategies and discusses recent integration of basic biological knowledge and genomic-led tools within an epidemiological framework. The second chapter introduces stripe rust and provides an overview of its decimation of crop yields worldwide. The chapter summarises recent advances in identifying stripe rust resistance genes in wheat as a means of controlling disease spread and limiting its economic damage. The third chapter addresses the need for more effective and sustainable control of rust pathogens affecting wheat and barley in the face of increasing regulatory measures against the use of conventional fungicides, as well as the spread of fungicide resistance. The fourth chapter provides an overview of the recent advances in controlling wheat rust, focussing on the role of pathogen and host genetics, host-pathogen interactions, epidemiology and management strategies. The final chapter considers the main rust pathogens affecting sorghum and details the different conditions in which they proliferate, their symptoms and impact on crop yields.

Diseases remain a serious problem in wheat and barley cultivation. It has been estimated that around 20% of global crop production is lost to diseases. Leading fungal diseases affecting wheat and barley include rusts, Septoria blotches, powdery mildew, tan spot, spot blotch, net blotch, scald and Fusarium species. Conventional control using fungicides faces a number of challenges such as increasing regulation and the spread of fungicide resistance. This collection sums up the wealth of research addressing this challenge. Part 1 reviews the latest research on understanding the main fungal diseases of cereals. Part 2 discusses key challenges in integrated disease management of wheat and barley. These challenges include developing new fungicides, the problem of fungicide resistance, breeding disease-resistance varieties, improving disease identification and the use of natural antifungal compounds. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for cereal scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in wheat cultivation.

Although stem rust is mostly controlled by means of resistance cultivars, leaf and stripe rust continue to be major problems in many wheat-growing areas of the world. Wheat Rusts: An Atlas of Resistance Genes provides a basis to identify genes for resistance to stem, leaf and stripe rusts of wheat. Typical phenotypes associated with most known genes for resistance to the three rust diseases of wheat are illustrated in full colour. This book will assist the plant breeder to identify candidate resistance genes, thereby saving substantial time and resources before a single cross is made for genetic analysis. Prepared by well-known specialists from a leading international laboratory, Wheat Rusts: An Atlas of Resistance Genes comprises an introductory chapter, details of individual resistance genes, appendices and an index. Details for each gene include chromosome location, aspects of genetics and pathogen variation, the effect of environment on expression, origin, availability in genetic and breeding stocks, and use in agriculture. Audience: All wheat researchers including geneticists, pathologists, breeders and agronomists. This book is a unique and invaluable aid to all involved in developing wheats for resistance to the rust pathogens.